g United states Patent on
`
`
`
`Kraus
`
`j 3,920,908 I
`on I
`“ [/45], Nov. 18, 1975
`
`[76]
`
`[54] BUYER CREDIT SERVICE FOR A
`. TELEPHONE SYSTEM’,
`E
`Inventor: Constantine R. Kraiis, 845 Mount
`_ Moro Road, Villanova, Pa. 19085
`June 25,1974
`_.
`[22] Filed:.
`[21] Appl. No.:482,864
`
`'
`
`’
`
`[52] U.S. Cl. ...... .. 179/2 CA; 179/2 DP; I235/61.7 B
`:[51]
`Int. Cl.2................... .. H04M 11/04; ‘G06K 5/00
`[581 Field of Search. 179/2 CA, 2 DP, 18 B, 18 BE,
`179/18 BD, 27 FH; 340/149 A, 152;
`235/61.7 B,
`
`[56]
`
`’
`
`2,902,541
`3,704,346
`3,719,927
`3,727,186
`
`References Cited
`'
`,UNITED STATES PATENTS
`9/1959
`Singleton ........................ .. 179/2 CA
`11/1972
`Smith et al .................... .. 179/18 BE
`3/1973 Michels et al.... ..
`.. 340/152 R
`4/1973
`Stephenson et al ........... .. 340/ l49.A
`
`_
`Primary Examz'ner——Douglas W. Olms
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Patrick J. Roche
`
`ABSTRACT
`V
`[57]
`A credit center detachably connectible to a traffic ser-
`
`CALLING TELEPHONE STATION _
`
`’ TRAFFIC SERVICE I
`05
`Y
`P
`ITION
`STEM
`I5
`
`|_
`
`13
`
`vice "position system (TSPS) Connecting calling and
`called telephone sets for enabling the calling set to ob-
`tain a service on credit from the called set in a tele-
`phone system wherein the credit center stores credit
`intelligence pertinent to the calling set. The calling set
`starts a call for such service by sending a prefix code
`followed by the telephone number of the called set to
`activate the traffic system to record therein signals
`identifying the class mark and the numbers of the
`called and calling sets. The traffic system responsive
`to the class mark and the calling and called set signals
`recorded therein activates the credit center to deliver ’
`the calling set credit
`intelligence therefrom to the
`called set fordisplay thereat. The called set after eval-
`uating such credit intelligencedisplayed thereat acti-
`vates the traffic system to disconnect the credit center
`from the called set and to connect the called and call-
`
`ing sets together to complete the call from the calling
`,set to the called set thereby enabling the calling set to
`obtain the service on credit therefrom. The called set
`may comprise an automated library, a merchandising
`mart, a shared—time computer, a data bank or the like.
`
`22 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures
`
`35
`
`CALLED TELEPHONE STATION
`
`RECEIVER
`FOR DIFFERENT
`SIGNALING
`
`_ TELEPHONE
`TRUNK
`CIRCUIT.
`
`TELEPHONE
`swncnme
`O" ‘CE
`
`:
`CENWL
`OFFICE
`
`OF CALLING SET
`CREDIT INTELL.
`
`TRANSMITTER
`OF DIFFERENT
`SIGNALING
`MODES
`
`CALLED
`TELEPHONE
`SET
`
`' CREDIT CENTER
`
`Apple Exhibit 4393
`
`Apple v. SightSound Technologies
`CBM2013-00023
`
`Apple Exhibit 4393
`Apple v. SightSound Technologies
`CBM2013-00023
`Page 00001
`
`

`
`CALLING TELEPHONE SIKHON
`‘
`"l"“"
`TEfiE%fly%E
`'
`SET
`
`RECEIVER
`
`FOR DIFFERENT
`SIGNALING
`
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`
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`
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`V
`TRAFFIC SERVICE
`POSITION SYSTEM
`-—————-~J————-
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`
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`TEL‘
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`
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`TRUNK
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`
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`
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`
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`
`35
`
`CALLED TELEPHONE STATION
`*\\[;§-__~_..-______-
`VISUAL DISPLAY
`OF CALLING SET
`CREDFTINTELL.
`
`TELEPHONE .
`SWITCHING
`OFFICE
`
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`
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`Page 00002
`
`

`
`1U913d°S°f1
`
`091.61‘SI'A0N
`
`2.10zTeens
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`[CALLED TELEPHONE STATION
`
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`
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`
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`'ATTENDANT’s’
`POSITION
`
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`DISPLAY
`
`, 39
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`TRANSMITTING
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`
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`DIAL
`
`DIGITAL
`CODE DEVICE
`
`.
`
`.
`
`Page 00003
`
`

`
`:CREDIT CENTER
`
`I—_
`/I
`
`-
`
`62
`
`COMPUTER
`CREDIT MEMORY
`
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`PROGRAM MEMORY
`
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`MATRIX I3
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`
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`
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`
`REPRODUCING
`AND
`
`MULTI ‘
`FREQUENCY
`
`|
`
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`
`38
`
`'ATTEN'I)ANT's
`POSITION
`VISUAL
`DISPLAY
`
`TE‘-ETYPE“
`
`‘WRITER
`
`Page 00004
`
`

`
`.
`
`__
`
`_,
`
`cijzr.i)ii*'s‘,i:i¢‘V.fici-:‘,1-‘oil’ ‘A 'ri~:'_Li«:'iriioNE
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`' gj 5~BAci(GRouNi‘j, o'i_= '~l‘H‘E}.‘l-N‘-VEN"l"IO.N
`_._/_.lT;his invention "relates _to;. a and a .credit
`center ‘for'.exp_edit_iously enabling.one party-to obtain a
`_ service on credit from.another'par'ty when both parties ‘
`, are geograph,ica_lly separated, and more specifically to
`such method and’ credit_center adapted for promoting
`sales transactions on credit betweeri callingand called
`parties in atelephone system..‘i‘
`g
`«
`.
`V
`.Mo‘derri-,.merchandising techniques aredesigned to
`permit a person to obtain acopy of an item, purchase
`an article or a personal service or. thelike on credit in
`» asimple.man)ner in aface-to-face.transaction by merely
`reighibiting a ,validated credit card in place of cash. In
`situations where thebuyer and seller are geographically
`.-.separated _as.in a telephone system, a problem hereto-
`_;fp_’re-_has been to-provide the called sellerat the moment
`;{wit_h_adequa_te information regarding thelcredit integ-
`_ Zrity of -the calling buyer attempting to make a purchase
`on credit. The availability of such information to the
`called seller is imperative for the latter in order for him
`to make a quick’ decision at the moment whether to ac-
`. cept; orrejeét the .tele_phone purchase on credit. Also,
`- this information is urgently needed .by’the called seller ’
`_in telephone sales so that poor credit risks may be in-
`, stantly recognized .for minimizing and obviating finan-
`-,r;cial losses;in such .sales, and further _so.that_credit risks
`may be quickly evaluated and avoided for increasing
`v.-profitsin such sales.
`-
`I
`I
`Therefore, it.is..contemplated,by the present inven-
`. tion, to provide a credit centerfor expeditiously retriev-
`.ing;.therefrom creditintelligence.including credit card
`information pertinent to a calling buyer and thereafter
`. displaying’ such-intelligence to a called seller before the
`3.calling.buyer' is: connected with the called seller for the
`"purpose of tendering an offer to purchase a service on
`.,credit in -a-telephone system. This visual credit intelli-
`gence-display-_enables the called seller to make a quick
`.; d‘ete'rmination., at the_ momentwhether to acceptor re-
`—. -ject'=_such>c.redit purchase before theoffer. is’ actually
`: tendered by-thecalling buyer to the calledseller.
`.
`.. rAc.‘cordingly, itisa principal object of the present in-
`»»vent-ion to provide a called seller with substantially in-
`stem credit.intelligence pertinent to a ‘calling buyer
`- wishing to;'obtain..credit in a sales transaction handled
`in a~_:telephone system.
`.
`~
`v
`e
`.
`I
`2:-..Anothei::object is to provide for a called seller a evi-
`sual display of credit intelligence pertinentto a calling -
`buyer, before‘ the buyer; is connected to the seller, in a
`' sales transaction requiring credit for the buyer ina tele-
`-' Ephone system-.
`-
`‘
`’
`.
`V
`‘- ‘VA further object-is to minimize for aseller the possi-
`‘ 2 '=bility offinancial loss arising from apurchase requiring '
`" ‘ -creditfor the buyer -in.a telephone ‘sales transaction.
`v
`‘ =’An~ additional object is to increase for a seller the
`‘possibility of -financial profit resulting from a purchase‘
`.«;"_ involving cre‘,dit"for- the buyer-in a telephone sales trans-
`7{action.é-
`..
`.
`V
`L.
`,
`A still additional object is toprovide acalled party, in
`‘*jthe‘-absence‘ ofisirpplementary creditinformation, with
`~;.the‘3ii‘ame‘, ‘the addressand the telephone number of ‘a’
`‘~"3calliii’g5'parfy, without assistance;from-the calling party,
`V
`'i'lA]'5'2'1‘ité_ie7'])I'_i0Ile system‘. ‘
`,
`‘ ~ ~
`,
`.
`.
`~
`~
`.
`:_A.V'still'1fti‘i’th'ei"objectis totinsure the called party that
`the telephone number, the name, and the address of the
`
`,
`
`-' i3,i920’,90s
`
`2
`-callingparty are the same as those recorded in a perti-.
`nent telephone _listing in a telephone system.
`. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`,
`
`' Therforegoing and other objects of the invention_are '
`r achieved in accordance with a specific embodiment of
`‘ the invention in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, illustrating an instant
`creditcenter independent of butdesigned to function
`‘ on an automatic basis in a modern automatic telephone ,
`' system, and provided with credit intelligence pertinent
`to a calling telephone set embodied in a calling station.
`I This calling set originates a call for service on credit to .
`be supplied by a called fstation having a called tele-_
`phone set and comprising for example, an automated
`library, a merchandising mart, a time-shared computer,
`a data bank or the like. Both the calling and called sta-
`tions and the respective calling and called setstherein
`are connectible together through _sending and receiving
`telephone central offices and a traffic service position i
`system (TSPS) office all of which are controlled by pre-
`determined signals originating at the calling set for re- ’
`cording in the TSPS office. These signals are utilized by
`the TSPS office for activating the credit center to lo-
`cate the calling set credit intelligence therein and for
`', connecting the credit center to the called set to deliver
`the calling set credit intelligence as located in the credit
`center to the called station.
`
`The calling set desirous of obtaining a service on
`‘ credit such, for example, as ordering ,a copy of a cata-
`logue item in the automated library, purchasing an arti-
`cle from the merchandising mart, a specific time inter-
`val in a time-shared computer, a data bank or the like
`starts a call therefor by‘ going off—hook and transmitting
`a predetermined prefix number of signals followed by
`another predetermined number of signals identifying
`and preselecting the called set to which the call for ser-
`. vice on credit is directed. These signals activate the-
`sending control office to ‘connect the calling set there-
`through to the TSPS office. The sending office respon-
`sive to its connection to the TSPS office now automati-
`cally transmits a class mark signal and thereafter addi-
`tionalsignals identifying the number of the called and
`calling setsto, the TSPS office. This office recognizes
`and records the class mark signal as an incoming credit
`call from the calling set for an indication of the credit
`intelligence pertaining thereto and in addition records
`the signals identifying the respective numbers of the
`called and calling sets as received.
`.
`Pursuant to the recorded class mark signal the TSPS
`office establishes a voice circuit incoming to the credit
`center and including the TSPS office therein. Now, on
`this circuit the TSPS office transmits signals represent-
`ing the called and calling sets to the credit center for
`recording therein. Thereafter, the TSPS office utilizes
`the called set signals stored therein to establish a voice
`signaling circuit outgoing from the credit center and
`including the credit center, the TSPS office, the switch-
`ing office, the receiving central office, and the called
`. station having the called set therein.
`During the time interval in which the TSPS office is
`establishing the outgoing voice circuit from the credit
`V center to the called station, the credit center responsive
`to the calling set signals recorded therein searches for
`theecredit intelligence stored therein and pertinent to
`the calling‘ set, and upon locating such intelligence
`transmits it over the latter outgoing circuit to the called
`. station for visual display to an attendant thereat. Upon
`an evaluation of the displayed credit intelligence at the.
`
`_
`
`Page 00005
`
`Page 00005
`
`

`
`3,920,908
`
`4
`set for enabling the calling party to state orally to the
`TSPS office attendant a desire to obtain a service on
`credit from the called party. Thereafter, the sending of-
`fice automatically transmits signals identifying the
`numbers of the calling and called sets for recording in
`the TSPS office as hereinbefore stated. Now, the TSPS
`office attendant provides manually a local signal to ac-
`tivate the TSPS office to connect the credit center
`therewith, and thereafter returns the TSPS office set to
`on-hook. From this point on, the operation of the in-
`vention is identical with that previously explained.
`
`3
`called station as adequate or inadequate, the attendant
`thereat decides whether toaccept or reject the incom-
`ing call for credit service originating at the calling set as
`previously noted. If the credit intelligence as so dis-
`played were deemed to be inadequate, the attendant at
`the called set may go on-hook to terminate the call or
`as an alternative may discuss the credit intelligence
`with an attendant at a telephone set in the credit center
`for further clarification before a final determination is
`
`made by the called set attendant with respect to a final
`disposition of the incoming credit service request. In
`cases where no supplementary credit information is
`available, the credit center sends only the name, the ad-
`dress and the telephone number of the calling party for
`display to the called party. These stored in a memory at
`the credit center and obtained from the telephone com-
`pany would be adequate in 1many cases to provide
`credit for such simple services as data on train and air-
`plane schedules or the like for which the charge would
`be minimal.
`’
`
`Assuming now the displayed credit intelligence at the
`called station is adequate, the attendant thereat sends a
`disconnect-credit center signal
`to the TSPS office
`which first operates to complete a voice circuit be-
`tween the sending and receiving central offices and
`thereby between the calling and called sets, and second
`to disconnect the credit center from the TSPS office.
`This completes the call from the calling set to the called
`set whereby the calling set is enabled to transmit orally
`its request to the called set for service-on credit to in-
`clude a copy of a catalogue item from the library, a
`copy of a railroad or airline schedule, the purchase of
`an article from the merchandising mart, or the like. In
`the case of the copy of the library item, or the railroad
`and airline schedules the called and calling stations
`contain compatible transmitting and receiving equip-
`ments, respectively, to effect the transmission and re-
`ception of electric signals representing a copy of the re-
`quested item. On the other hand, in the event of the
`purchase of an article, the delivery thereof may be de-
`termined in the oral communication between atten-
`dants at the calling and called sets.
`It is noted that during the time interval in which the
`TSPS office functions to interconnect the credit center
`and the called station for the purpose of transmitting
`the credit intelligence from the credit center to the
`called station, the calling set is merely at stand-by and
`awaiting completion of its call to the latter station. This
`stand-by interval or delay time enables the called party
`to obtain the visual indication of the credit integrity of
`the calling party as supplied by the credit center before
`the latter party is permitted to place orally his request
`for credit service with the called party.
`The credit intelligence regarding the calling set as re-
`corded in the credit center and displayed at the called
`station only upon a request from the calling set may
`comprise the name,
`the address and the telephone
`number, supplemented by such additional credit intelli-
`gence as a credit card number or other data deemed by
`the calling party as insuring an instantly favorable re-
`sponse from the called seller.
`In a sending telephone central office wherein the
`mark signal
`is not automatically transmitted by the
`sending office as previously mentioned,
`the calling
`party initially transmits an O (operator) signal, fol-
`lowed by the predetermined number of signals identify-
`ing the called party, whereby a telephone set at the
`TSPS office is connected in a voice circuit to the calling .
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`
`The invention is readily understood from the follow-
`ing description when read together with the accompa-
`nying drawing in which:
`_.
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a specific embodiment of
`the invention shown in heavy lines as utilized in a tele-
`phone system;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the components
`constituting 2. called telephone station in FIG. 1; and
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the components
`constituting the specific embodiment of the invention
`in FIG. 1.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`FIG. 1 shows a conventional telephone system com-
`prising a calling station 10 including a telephone set 1 I
`and a receiver 12 adaptable for different signaling
`modes. These, not shown, may include a teletypewriter,
`dataphone, dial, digital code device, facsimile, audio
`recorder, slowscan TV, video display, and the like for a
`purpose that is hereinafter mentioned. This set and re-
`ceiver are connected via a local sending telephone cen-
`tral office 13 and a CAMA (centralized automatic mes-
`sage accounting) telephone trunk 14 to a first input of
`a telephone trunk circuit 15 included in a No. 1 TSPS
`(traffic service position’ system) office 16. This office is
`well-known in the telephone art as disclosed in an arti-
`40 cle entitled TSPS No. 1 System-Organization and Ob-
`jectives by Jaeger and Joel, Vol. 49 Bell System Tech-
`nical Journal, Dec. 1970, No. 10, pages 2,435 and
`2,436; and in an article entitled TSPS No. l — Opera-
`tional Programs — ANI (automatic number identifica-
`tion) Digit Analysis by Kettley, Pasternak and Sikor-
`sky, Vol. 49, Bell System Technical Journal, Dec.
`1970, No. 10, page 2,632. The receiver is normally not
`a component of a conventional calling telephone sta-
`tion but is included therein as a part of the present in-
`vention for a purpose that is hereinafter explained. The
`operations of the trunk 14 and the TSPS office are fur-
`ther discussed below.
`For the purpose of this description the sending cen-
`tral office is assumed to be a component of an existing
`telephone system such, for example, as the No.
`1 I385
`(electronic switching system) system including a stored
`program control as disclosed in the Bell Laboratories
`Record, June 1965. As an alternative, this sending of-
`fice may comprise either a No.
`1 or a No. 5 crossbar
`switching system manufactured by the Western Elec-
`tric Company and having originating registers to recog-
`nize prefix digits for routing an incoming call to the
`TSPS office for a purpose later explained.
`I
`A calling party wishing to make a service call on
`credit operates his set to off-hook and awaits dial tone
`sent from the sending central office and thereafter
`upon reception of such tone sends a predetermined
`prefix code signal consisting of two or three digits in
`
`Page 00006
`
`Page 00006
`
`

`
`3,920,908
`
`5
`_V signal form, followed by a telephone number including
`seven or ten digits in signalform signifying a local or
`distant preselected called telephone set for a purpose
`identified hereinafter. The prefix signal and the called
`set number signals are transmitted in sequence as an
`incoming call to the local sending central office in
`which register-sender. means; or an appropriately simi-
`‘lar device commonly used. in the modern telephone
`plant but not shown herein in the interest of a simpli-
`fied disclosure,
`records the signals identifying the
`called set and other signals identifying the calling" set.
`This office responsive to the prefix code routes the in-
`coming call directly to the trunk 14 assigned to the
`trunk circuit 15 in the TSPS office.
`
`Referring again to FIG. 1, it is seen therein that the
`TSPS office further includes the trunk circuit 15 having
`_a first output extending via a signaling channel 17, a
`switching matrix 18 and signaling leads 19 and 20 to a
`processor 21. Seizure of the telephone trunk circuit 15
`provides a signal over a first circuit including the local
`sending office, trunk 14, trunk circuit 15, channel 17,
`_ switching matrix 18, leads 19 and 20 and the processor.
`Responsive to this signal, the processor produces a sig-
`nal on leads 20 and 19 to actuate the switching matrix
`18 to connect the signaling channel 17 to a multi-fre-
`quency receiver 22. Upon the completion of this con-
`nection the processor sends a signal over leads 20 and
`19, switching matrix 18, signaling channel 17, trunk
`circuit 15 and trunk 14 to the sending central office.
`This office responsive to the receipt of the connection
`signal of the MF receiver 22 as just mentioned trans-
`mits in the first circuit a signal of a preassigned fre-
`quency supplied by a conventional generator, not
`shown, and representing a class mark and thereafter,
`upon receipt of an appropriate start signal from the
`TSPS office, transmits additional signals identifying the
`called number and the calling number in sequence to
`the MF receiver 22 for storage in a programmed mem-
`ory 23. This is known as essentially ANI (automatic
`number identification) and is a component of the
`CAMA trunk 14 provided as an adjunct to the TSPS
`‘office, as previously noted. Except for the transmission
`of the class mark signal for a purpose explained herein-
`after, the foregoing operation is essentially the opera-
`tion of the TSPS office with regard to the O (operator)
`signal plus appropriate signals. Also, the TSPS office
`includes an outpulser 24 and a TSPS position 25 whose
`operations are later explained.
`‘
`FIG. 1 also shows a telephone voice channel 31 in-
`cluded in the TSPS office and connectedeto a second
`input of the trunk circuit 15 whose second output is
`-connected via telephone trunk 32, telephone switching
`_office 33, telephone trunk 34 and a local receiving tele-
`phone central office 35 to called station 36. This sta-
`'tion showing a simple circuit structure includes a tele-
`phone set 37, a transmitter 38 of different signaling"
`modes compatible with those previously mentioned in
`connection with the receiver in the calling station, and
`a visual display 39. This may be a typical cathode ray
`tube as presently utilized at airline reservation desks,
`"railroad ticket offices, and the like, wherein the data
`required therefor are sentover ordinary. telephone lines
`to the electronic tube_for visual display thereon. The
`telephone switching office 33'may be a suitable type
`such, for example, as theNo. 4A toll crossbar switching
`office manufactured by the Western’ Electric Company.
`It is understood that the telephone trunk and the send-
`ring and receiving central offices connecting the calling
`
`6
`and called stations may comprise the number, the ar-
`rangement, and the types disclosed in my US. Pat. No.
`3,728,486 issued Apr. 17, 1973. The transmitter and
`the visual display are normally not components of a
`convential called telephone station but are included
`herein as parts of the present invention’ described sub-
`sequently.
`FIG. 2 shows a called telephone station 40 substi-
`tuted for the called telephone station 36 in FIG. 1 and
`comprising a sophisticated circuit structure including
`an attendant’s position 44, embodying telephone set
`37, transmitter 38 of different signaling modes consist-
`ing of, for example, a telephone digital code device 45,
`a telephone dial 46, and a teletypewriter 48, and the vi-
`sual display, 39. With regard to the different transmit-
`ting signaling modes just enumerated and compre-
`hended by the transmitter 38 in FIG. 1, it is understood
`that the receiver for different signaling modes as shown
`in the calling station in FIG. I is compatible therewith
`in a signaling sense for a purpose that is subsequently
`explained. FIG. 2 also containsa switching matrix 51, a
`multi-mode receiving data terminal 52, a multi-mode
`transmitting data terminal 53, a voice recording unit
`54, a voice reproducing and talking unit 55, and a pro-
`' grammed computer 56 having a well-known structure
`and including amernory 57 of familar design. The latter
`matrix, terminals and units are normally not compo-
`nents of a conventional called telephone station but are
`included herein as parts of the present invention de-
`scribed below. The operation of the called station as
`just mentioned is subsequently described.
`K
`The recording unit 54 records the voice of the calling
`party, if such is desired. This voice record may be com-
`pared with a voice record of such party on file at the
`called station; or it may be transmitted by the repro-
`ducing and talking unit 55 to a voice reproducing and
`talking unit 66 at the credit center in FIG. 3 for com-
`parison with the voice record of the calling party
`thereat, if such is desired. The reproducing component
`of the unit 55 reproduces the voice record of the calling
`party for comparisonwith the calling party voice re-
`cord, if on file, as the calling party is speaking. This
`provides a further check on the identity of the calling
`party. The talking component of the unit 55 advises the
`calling party of a delay when the called party operator
`is not yet available to talk with the calling party. The
`programmed computer 56 directs the performance of
`such switching operations as: answer the incoming call,
`transmit a signal to the credit center to initiate the-
`transmission of data -therefrom, check display of re-
`ceived data on display 39, search for credit information
`filed at the called station and pertinent to the calling
`party and transmit the latter information to the display
`39 for comparison with information received thereat
`from the credit center as explained later.
`In accordance with a specific embodiment of the in-
`vention shown in heavy lines in FIG. 1 and in detail in
`FIG. 3 as hereinafter mentioned, a credit center 60 is
`initially connected to the TSPS office in response to the
`class mark signal received thereat, and thereafter the
`called and calling set identifying numbers recorded in
`the TSPS office are transmitted to the credit center for
`recording therein. Subsequently, the calling set identi-
`fying number recorded in the credit center serves to ac-
`tivate the credit center to locate therein the credit in-
`telligence pertinent to the calling set number. At the
`same time the TSPS office responsive to the called set
`number recorded therein connects the credit center to
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`7
`the called station for displaying thereat the credit intel- »
`ligence pertinent to the calling set as located in the
`credit center and delivered to the called station there-
`from. Pursuant to the adequacy or the inadequqncy of
`such displayed credit intelligence, the called set may
`accept or reject the call incoming for credit service
`from the calling set which is still off-hook awaiting a
`connection through the several telephone networks to
`the called set, as hereinafter mentioned. Further opera-
`tion of the invention as above mentioned for the fore-
`
`,
`going purpose is now explained.
`FIG. 3 delineates the credit center consisting of a
`switching matrix 61, a computer 62, a multi-frequency
`receiver 63, a transmitter multi-mode data terminal 64,
`a voice recording unit 65, a voice reproducing and talk-
`ing unit 66, and an attendant’s position 44 including the
`visual display 39,_ the transmitter 38 comprising the
`teletypewriter 48, the telephone dial 46, and the digital
`code device 45, and a telephone set 37. Units 65 and 66
`are identical with units 54 and 55, respectively, in FIG.
`2, except the talking component of the unit 66 advises
`the called party attendant of a delay at the credit cen-
`ter. Recording unit 65 records the voice of the calling
`party as received from the called station, if such is de-
`sired. The reproducing component of the unit 66 repro-
`duces the voice record of the calling party as received
`from the called station for comparison with voice re-
`cord of the calling party, if on file, at the credit center.
`Recalling the previous explanation, it is noted again
`that the calling set going off-hook is desirious of obtain-
`ing on credit, for example, a copy of an item from the
`automated library, a copy of a railroad or airline sched-
`ule, the purchase of an article or a service from the
`merchandising mart, to reserve a specific time period in
`the time shared computer or a data bank, or the like.
`Also, at this time it is recalled that the class mark signal
`signifying a credit call and the identifying numbers of
`the calling and cailed sets are stored in the memory 23
`of the TSPS office as hereinbefore stated.
`Now, the processor responsive to the class mark acti-
`vates the switching matrix 18 to interrupt the first cir-
`cuit by disconnecting the channel 17 therefrom and to
`establish a second circuit consisting of switching matrix
`18, voice channel 80, switching matrix 61, voice chan-
`nel 8l extending to programmed computer 62, and
`lead 82 extending to multi-frequency receiver 63 which
`is also connected to the latter computer. This energizes
`the set 37 to go off-hook in the attendant’s position 44
`in the credit center for a purpose explained later and
`causes the computer 62 to transmit a signal indicating
`the completion of the second circuit. The processor re-
`sponsive to the receipt of such signal from the credit
`center for indicating the connection of the receiver 63
`in the second circuit just traced activates the switching
`matrix 18 via leads 19 and 20 to connect the outpulser
`to the switching matrix 18 in the second circuit. Upon
`completion of the latter connection, the processor ac-
`tuates the outpulser to transmit from the memory 23
`other signals corresponding to those recorded therein
`and identifying the calling and called sets to the re-
`ceiver 63 in the second circuit as just identified for a
`purpose that is presently mentioned.
`Upon the completion of the signal transmission to the
`receiver 63 in the second circuit as just stated, the pro-
`cessor further activates the switching matrix over leads
`20 and 19 to connect channel 83 from the credit center
`through the switching matrix 18, channel 31, trunk cir-
`cuit 15 and trunk 32 to the switching office.:Upon the
`
`3,920,908
`.
`—
`8
`.
`completion of the latter connection, theprocessor acti-
`vates the outpulser 24 totransmit from the memory 23
`other signals corresponding to those recorded therein’
`_ and identifying the called'set}“to the‘ switching office
`through lead 19, switching matrix 18, cliannel’31, trunk
`circuit 15, and trunk 32. These signals energize the
`switching office to connect the receiving central office
`and the called station thereto whereby a third circuit is
`established between the ‘credit center and the called
`station to include the computer 62 and the switching
`matrix 61 of the credit center, channel 83, switching
`matrix 18, channel 31,
`trunk circuit 15,
`trunk 32,
`switching office 33, trunk 34, receiving central office
`35 and the called station. Upon the establishment of
`the third circuit just identified, the receiving terminal
`52 at the called station signals appropriately to the
`transmitter terminal 64 of the credit center to acknowl-
`edge the connection therewith. Also, the called set is
`energized and goes off-hook to enable an attendant
`thereat to acknowledge orally a connection with an at-
`tendant at the credit center through the off-hook set
`thereat as previously stated for a purpose’ mentioned
`hereinafter.
`
`During the time interval required to establish the
`above-identified third circuit between the credit center
`and the called station the programmed memory 84 re-
`sponsive to the calling set identifying number signals
`received from the TSPS office searches the credit
`memory 85 for the credit intelligence stored therein
`and pertinent to the calling set. Upon locating this
`credit intelligence, the computer 62 actuates the trans-
`mitting data terminal 64 as controlled by a preselected
`one of the signaling modes included therein and includ-
`ing teletypewriter, dial and digital code device to trans-
`mit such pertinent credit intelligence in the third circuit
`to the receiving data terminal 52 in the called station.
`The output of the latter terminal is directed via pro-
`grammed computer 56 to the visual display 39 for vi-
`sual display thereon at the called station. At the same
`time, the identical credit intelligence is also exhibited
`on the visual display 39 in the credit center. This _ena-
`bles the attendants at the off-hook sets in the respective
`credit center and called station to discuss via the third
`circuit and another circuit hereinafter identified the
`substance of the credit intelligence as visually displayed
`at both thereof. Program memory 84 controls the se-
`quence of operations for normal credit call, and deter-
`mines whether the data are satisfactory and whether
`the attendant’s position 44 at the credit center should
`be activated for help. Program memory 84 operates the
`switching matrix 61 tojconnect the various equipments
`in circuit, when required, routes calls, and data flow in
`the credit center.
`The modes of the foregoing credit intelligence trans-
`mission and reception may comprise, for example, fre-
`quency shift keying at a rate of 2,000 bits per second.-
`The pertinent credit int